Vending machine



fNQv; 10,- 1931. j F. c. MYER VENDING MACHINE -Filedsepn 9. 19.29

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` FRED C; MYER, OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA v fas Patented Nov. 10, 1931 TES "PATENT OFFICE" I VENDING MACHINE appnati'on nea september 9, 1929. semi No. 391,393.

This invention relates to vending machines 'and more particularly to spurious coin detectors for'coin operated vending machines in which a coin of less value than the one for which the machine is designed may be fraudulently inserted. The primary object of the present invention is to provide means to detecta spurious coin, deflect it to a pocket from which it may be picked up from the outside f of the machine, and sound an alarm calling attention to the attempt at fraud. 'Anf important object is the meansfor using a vertical coin chute in which an adjustable compact anvil is mounted so that a predetermined rebound of a valid coin may be accompli'shed by'adjusting the angle of the anvil to cause the coin to rebound into a chute, from Vwhich it travels to the operating mechanism of the vending machine( A particular object of the-invention Vis the mechanical means for retarding and reducing the vibration of a coin as it slides down a chute, whereby each coinof a certain kind will have the same trajectory after striking the same anvil. i ,Y

It is well known in this art that the vibrations of a coin from side to side as it slides down a smooth chute causes variations in coins in dierent degrees, for instance, in a` new nickel and an old nic-kel, the trajectory from the anvil will vary.

Even the same coin repeatedly inserted in a smooth chute will vary solnewhat in trajectory after striking the anvil.

Another object is the provision of a bell in the path of the dropped or rejected coin to sound an alarm for the purpose of making the attempt to use a spurious coin both embarrassing and futile.

A further object is to provide means to adjust the height of the chute intowhich a coin is to be thrown. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide a resilient surface for coins to strike which are thrown too far so that they will Y rebound down the short chute and drop out at the bottom.

Other objects will 'appear to those skilled in the art as the description progresses.

ing drawings the invention is illustrated in theform considered to be the best', but I do not wish to be understood Aas confining it to this form because it may be combined/in other forms. It is also to be understood@ that in and by the claims followingk the description itis desired to cover the invention in whatsoever form it may be embodied.y

In the one sheet of drawings 'Figure 1 is a sectional view of the coin chutefor vending'machines showing myimprovements therein taken on line 1 1 of 'Figure 3. j l f Figure 2 is a sectionalview on line 2 2 of Figure 1 showing in dotted lines how the spurious coins strike thepbell, and the pocket into 'which the coins drop.

Figure 3 is an enlarged section on theline 3-3 of Figure l. l Y

- In coin controlled vending machines the coin` is generally inserted in'a slot near the top of the machine landv drops Adown a chute to the control or release mechanism adjacent the bottom. j j

The chuteA may have `an incline or curve from front to back, or side to side of themachine. In thepresent instance 'the chute 1 is vertical, and a coin inserted at 2 slides down and strikes the 'anvil 3 'which the pin 4; in the chute; y The anvil is held in position and adjusted bythe screws 5-and'6. j f f The anvil has the top surface 7 which is on an angle'so that a coin striking it will rej bound on a trajectory curve, something like i the one indicated by the line 8, into the chute 9 projecting from the main chute.

The 'angle of the anvil is adjusted so that a certain coin will be thrown farfenough to ber 'at.12, and thepivoted lever at 13. In this specification and the accompany- Sldable on the plate Vletconnecting the is pivotedon f ec The adjustment of the plate 15 and the an-v vil 3 gives quite a wide range or' adjustment so that a certain construction of chute can'` be adjusted to coins of different kind.

A coin not intended for the machine will not be thrown far enough or it will be thrown too far to fall into the chute 10,and will roll back onto the anvil and drop on either side through one of the openings 2O or 2l. As the coindrops it strikes the bell 22 and then slides into the pocket 23, where it can be recovered. c

The pocket is part of the casing 24 which is attached to the chute by the screws 25 or other suitable means. Y

The main chute 1 comprises a channel like member 26 and a plate cover 27 secured by screws 28 as shown in Figure 3 in section. Means for causing the coin to slide on the surfaces 29 and 30 consist of plates 31 and 32 in which are set by any suitable means a series of spaced flexible fins 33 and 34 of suitable material.

These lins are designed to oier just enough resistance to the passing coin to hold it lightly against the side and end of the chute. The plates 31 and 32 are adjustably mounted on the screws 35 and 36 so that the plates may be pressed in, or drawn back to regulate the pressure of the lins on the coin. c

The upper end of the chute 9 is open, and a resilient means is mounted in the opening. In this instance a spring 37 is shown secure by the screws 38. 1

All coins that are thrown too hard strike this spring and rebound back to the anvil.

In the complete operation of the device a coin inserted in the top of the chute drops down and is kept fromvibrating as it slides by the flexible lins, which press very lightly on the coin as it passes. The coin 'strikes the anvil with an impact to cause it to rebound on j ected, and for the pressure of the fins on the coin.

Having thus described m invention what I claim and desire to secure y Letters liate'nt 1. A spurious coin detector for vending machines, comprising a verticalcoin-chute, a pivojted coin impact anvil in said chute, an opening in said chuteadjacent the said anvil, adjusting screws for said anvil, a coin receiving chute above and toV one side of said anvil connected to said coin chute, means to adjust the distance of said receiving chute above said anvil and mechanical means to retard a coin dropped in said coinchute. Y 2. A spurious coin detector for vending machines vcomprising a vertical coin chute, an adjustable impact anvil having its impact sur,- face at an, angle, a coinreceivinglchute having its receiving end higher than said anvil, means to adjust said receiving end, an opening vvin said coin chute on each side of said anvil, a bell below said anvil, flenible coin retarding tins in said coin chute, and means to adjust said ns. .Y

A spurious coin detector for vending Inachines, comprising a guideway for coins,van adjustable angleimpact anvil in said guideway, an upwardly extending guideway joining said guideway at an angle, a coinY receiving chute at the end of said upwardly eXtending guideway, an adjustable plate between said coin receiving Vchute and saidV upwardly extending guideway to control the entrance of a Vcoin to said receivingchute, flexible fins z adapted to bear lightly on a coin moving in said coin guideway, and means to adjust the pressure of said fins on the coin. 1 l

Intestimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of AuUust,VA. D.k 1929.

, FR D C. MYER.

a trajectory due to the incline of the anvil .Y so that the coin is thrown into the chute leading to the coin control mechanism.

If the coin is of fraudulent weight or material, so that it rebounds too far, it strikes the spring and rebounds back to the anvil and drops out of one of the side openings, and as it drops it strikes the bell and slides into the pocket. If the coin is not thrown far enough, it rolls back down the short chute onto the anvil and out as in the above case.

It will be seen that adjustment is provided for the angle of the impact anvil, for the height of the chute into which a coin is pro- 

